Milk-can lock



(No Model.)

J. G. STAUDENMAYER. MILK GAN LOCK..

N0. 603,489. Patented May 3, l1898.

NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. STAUDENMAYER, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

MILK-CAN LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentrNo. 603,489, dateclMay 3, 1898. Application filed January 27, 1897. Serial No. 620,949. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Beit known that LJOHN G. STAUDENMAYER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Milk-Can Locks, of which the following is a specilication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

useful improvements in locks, and relates particularly to a lock adapted to be employed for securing the lids of milk-cans securely in position and preventing the removal of same during transit.

The invention has for its object to construct a lock for the above purpose that will be neatly inclosed within the lid in such a manner as to be entirely hidden from view; furthermore, that will be extremely simple in its construction, strong, durable, effectual in its operation, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The still further object is to provide a lock of the above nature that will not be easily tampered with because of `the peculiar construction and arrangement of the locking mechanism, necessitating the operator to be acquainted therewith before being able to manipulate the lock.

With the above and other objects in View the invention finally consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more specifically described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the base-plate, showing different parts of the locking mechanism arranged therein in their respective positions. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the key. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the securing-plate for the fastening-screws. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the milk-can, showing the lid in position and the key inserted Fig. G is a plan view of the opin the same.

Lbar g from turning.

erating-plate.` (Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the key and operating-sleeve.

Referring now to the drawings by reference-letters, a indicates the base-plate, which is rigidly secured to the rim b of the lid, the top c of said lid being provided with a keyhole to receive the key d. Centrally arranged on this plate a is a screw or pin e, which opl crates in the slot f of the locking-bar g, said This invention relates to certain new andbar being also provided with a slot h to receive the screw or pin 7c to hold the bar in perfect alinement. The inner end of this bar g operates against a crank or lever Z, pivotally secured to the plate a and having connected to its opposite end a link m, said link being also attached to the locking-bar g', which is secured to the plate a by means of a screw or pin c and operating in a slot h'. Said screw e is provided with a square shank between the screw threads and the head which tits the slot h and prevents locking- The crank Z carries a pin n, to which is attached one end of a coilspring o, -having its other end secured to the pin or screw p near the outer rim of the plate a. An operating-plate q is provided with. an

aperture q' and with a pin r, which engages the locking-bar g, said plate also carrying a pin r, to which is attached one-end of a coilspring s, having its other end secured to a pin or to a screw s in the plate a. The plate @carries a post a,eXtendin g centrally through the aperture q of the plate q, said post receiving sleeve h', provided with a slot c', eX- tending part way in alinement with the said sleeve and then transversely to same, said sleeve being further provided with a square head d', which is adapted to engage the plate q, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The locking-bar gi is held normally in engagement by the spring g2, engaging the same with its one end and having its opposite end secured between a pin g3 and a block g4, attached to the plate a. This plate a is further provided with apertures to receive the securing-screws CL2, which engage the plate a3, said plate a3 being provided with a central aperture a4 to receive the sleeve Cl, a sleeve h2 being provided around the screws a2 for the plate a3 to rest upon, and the sleeve b being encircled by the coil-sprin g h3.

The locking-bars g and g are adapted to IOO engage in the flange b4, provided around the rim of the can-neck.

Briefly describing the operation ot' the device, the same is as follows: Assuming that the parts have been secured in their respective sleeve in contact with the operating-plate q and when the key is turned causing this plate to retract the lock-bars g and g by reason of its connection with the locking-bar g, and as the locking-bar g moves out of engagement it presses against the crank Z, which in turn withdraws the locking-bar g from engagement, and by means of its being connected therewith by a link m at each time the outer ends of the locking-bars g and g have been withdrawn from their engagement with the iiange b4 the lid may be readily removed.

It will be observed that when the lid is in the locked position the sleeve b will rest in such position as to keep the head d out of engagement with the operating-plate q and neoessitates the raising of this sleeve into engagement with the plate q before the lock can be operated, this construction making it exceedingly difficult for any one to operate the lock during the transit of the can.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction of my improved milk-can lock without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a lock of the character described, a plate secured within the lid of the can, a lock-bar secured to said plate, an operating-plate, a slotted sleeve provided with an angular head, said angular head held normally out of `engagement with the operating-plate by the spring b3, the slotted sleeve to be engaged by the key to draw the angular head into engagement with the operating-plate, and turn the same to release the bars g and g; substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN G. STAUDENMAYER. Witnesses:

JOHN NoLAND, THOs. M. BOYD, Jr. 

